Elbow lameness in the young dog caused by a sesamoidal fragment

Intermittent lameness in 8 dogs was attributed to a sesamoidal fragment in the elbow joint. The clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of the condition are described.     

THE DIFFERENCE IN BROWN TROUT (SALMO TRUTTA L.) BLOOD COMPOSITION FROM ACIDIC AND LIMED SITES OF TWO RIVERS IN WESTERN NORWAY

Certain blood morphology parameters: red blood cell (RBC) sizes; percentage of polymorphonuclear leukocytes and ratio polychromatocyte/RBC in Brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from acidified water (mean pH value 4.94) and limed water (mean pH value 5.66) were investigated. The sizes of RBC long axises were significantly larger in fish from acidic environment than from limed condition (14.37 and 12.96μm respectively). The percentage of polymorphonuclear cells (7.86 and 3.32) and polychromatocyte/RBC ratio (0.079 and 0.019) were also significantly larger in fish from the acidified environment. Blood morphology parameters are concluded to be usefull for testing and detection of long-term acidic stress in fish in nature.     

Confirmed resistance to aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides in Phalaris minor populations in Iran

Phalaris minor (littleseed canary grass) is a major weed in wheat fields in some parts of Iran. Diclofop‐methyl, fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl, and clodinafop‐propargyl are three acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)‐inhibiting herbicides that are commonly used to control this grass in wheat fields. Thirty‐four P. minor populations with suspected resistance to ACCase‐inhibiting herbicides were sampled from wheat fields in the provinces of Fars and Golestan in Iran. The dose–response assays that were conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions indicated that 14 populations were resistant to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl, seven populations were resistant to both fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl and diclofop‐methyl, and three populations were resistant to fenoxaprop‐P‐ethyl, diclofop‐methyl, and clodinafop‐propargyl. These populations showed different levels of resistance to the applied herbicides, compared to the susceptible population. These results suggest that different mechanisms of resistance could be involved. The enzyme assay revealed that the existence of modified ACCase in the three most‐resistant populations (AR, MR4, and SR3) is responsible for the resistance of these populations.     

Scurvy as a cause of osteodystrophy

Two cases of hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD) showed the characteristic stigmata of scurvy. The effective treatment, for both patients, was ascorbic acid. The clinical and radiographic findings and a discussion of the possible causes of hypovitaminosis C are presented.     

Pansteatitis (Steatitis, "Yellow Fat Disease") in the Cat: A Review Article and Report of Four Spontaneous Cases

Abstract— Pansteatitis was recognized in four cats fed a diet based mainly on oily fish. Except for fever, these cats had all the other typical findings of the disease, namely hyperesthesia, painful, nodular-to-irregular subcutaneous masses, neutrophilic leukocytosis, firm and discolored subcutaneous fat, and lobular and septal pyogranulomatous panniculitis with necrosis, mineralization, and ceroid pigment deposition. Three of the cats responded well to treatment and became clinically normal after 1 month, the fourth was lost to follow-up. Résumé— Une panstéatite a été reconnue chez 4 chats alimentés pricipalement avec du poisson gras. Exception falte de la fièvre, ces chats présentéalent les signes caractériqtiques de cette affection: hyperesthé-sie, douleur, masses sour-cutanées nodulaires á irrégullères, tissue adipeux sous-cutané dur et décoloré et pannicullte pyogranulomateuse septale avec nécrose, minéralisation et dépot de pigment céroïde. Trois des chats ont bien répondu au traitement et sont redevenus cliniquement normauz en un mois. Le quatrième n'a pas pu être suivi. Zusammenfassung— Bei 4 Katzen, die mit einer Diät ernährt wurden, die hauptsächlich aus fettreichem Fisch bestand, wurde eine Pansteatitis festgestellt. Mit Ausnahme von Fieber zeigten diese Katzen all die anderen typischen Symptome diesser Krankheit, nämlich Hypersästhesie, Schmerz, noduläre bis unregelmäßig geformte subkutane Gebilde, Leukozytose mit Neutrophilie, verhärtetes und farblich verändertes subkutanes Fett, lobuläre und septale pyogranulomatöse Pannikulitis mit Nekrose, Mineralisation und Einlagerung von zeroidem Pigment. Drei der Katzen sprachen gut auf die Therapie an und wurden nach einem Monat klinisch gesund. Bei der 4. Katze war der Krankheitsverlauf nicht weiter verfolgbar. Resumen En 4 gatos alimentados en una dieta basada fundamentalmente en pescado azul, se diagnosticó pansteataitis. Excepto por la aparición de la fiebre, éstos gatos presentaron los hallazgos clínicos típicos de la enfermedad, hiperestesia, dolor, nódulos o masas irregulares en el tejido subcutáneo, leucocitosis neutrofilica, grasa subcutánea descolorida y de consistencia firme, y paniculitis piogranulomatosa de tipo septal y lobular con la presencia de necrosis, mineralización y pigmento de deposición ceroide. Tres de los gatos respondieron favorablemente al tratamiento y llegaron a ser completamente normales despues de un mes, en el cuarto no se pudo hacer un seguimiento clinico.     

COMPARISON OF THE IMAGE QUALITY OF A HIGH‐RESOLUTION SCREEN–FILM SYSTEM AND A DIGITAL FLAT PANEL DETECTOR SYSTEM IN AVIAN RADIOGRAPHY

A conventional high‐resolution screen–film system was compared with a digital detector system. A total of 20 birds (14 pigeons and six psittacine birds) with an average body mass of 533 g were examined in dorsoventral as well as lateral projections. Digital radiographs were acquired with the same mAs as well as half the mAs used for the conventional radiographs. Three criteria and one overall assessment were defined for each of four anatomic regions and assessed by five veterinarians using a score system. Comparison of the ratings was done by visual grading analysis. For the majority of criteria, there was no significant difference regarding image quality between the digital and screen–film projections. However, for certain criteria the quality of the digital images was significantly superior. Using the same mAs as for the conventional radiographs, the humeral joint surfaces and the honeycomb structure of the lung were assessed as superior with the digital imaging system. The tracheal rings and the delineation of the trachea from the surrounding tissue were also superior with the digital system. Assessment of the trabecular structure of the humerus was superior when the full mAs was used compared with the reduced mAs. In conclusion the digital technique is equal or superior to the conventional screen–film high‐resolution system for pet birds of a medium size. With some limitations, a dose reduction is possible with the digital system.     

Studies into the possible protozoan aetiology of swimbladder inflammation in carp fry

Abstract. Laboratory examinations of pond-reared common carp, Cyprinus carpio L., revealed a close correlation between the prevalence of swimbladder inflammation (SBI), renal sphaerosporosis and infection by C-blood-protozoan among the carp fry. In impression smears as well as light and electron microscopic preparations we detected developmental stages of intercellular protozoa, mainly in the loose fibrous tissue of the swimbladder. The parasites multiplied by internal budding so that 20–46 secondary cells were formed in each primary cell and two tertiary cells were formed in each secondary cell. The final stage of development was a unit consisting of a secondary cell enclosing two tertiary cells, i.e. a so-called triple formation, which bore a close resemblance to the early sporogonic stages of the renal sphaerosporan Sphaerospora angulata Fujita, 1912. Certain morphological similarities and the frequent simultaneous presence of the swimbladder protozoan, C-bloodprotozoan, and S. angulata in hosts with clinical SBI have led us to postulate that the former two parasites could represent the hitherto unknown presporogonic stages of S. angulata. In view of the pathological changes caused by the parasites in the hosts with clinical SBI, and negative bacteriological and virological findings we have postulated that the swimbladder protozoan is the primary cause of SBI in carp fry.     

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FEATURES OF MIDDLE EAR CHOLESTEATOMA IN DOGS

We describe the computed tomography (CT) findings in 11 dogs with middle ear cholesteatoma. The cholesteatoma appeared as an expansile tympanic cavity mass with a mean attenuation value of 55.8±4.2 Hounsfield units. There was no appreciable contrast enhancement of the tympanic bulla contense but ring enhancement was seen in four dogs. Due to the slow progressive growth, the lesion causes severe bone changes at the contour of the tympanic bulla, including osteolysis, osteoproliferation and osteosclerosis, expansion of the tympanic cavity, and sclerosis or osteoproliferation of the ipsilateral temporomandibular joint and paracondylar process. Cholesteatoma can cause lysis of the petrosal part of the temporal bone, leading to intracranial complications. Although not definitive, CT provides useful information for distinguishing a middle ear cholesteatoma from otitis media and neoplasia. In otitis media, enlargement of the tympanic cavity is not routinely observed. In tumors that primarily affect the middle or inner ear, the predominant signs are lysis of the contour of the tympanic bulla or the petrosal part of the temporal bone, soft tissue swelling around the middle ear and marked contrast enhancement. In tumors that arise from the external ear, a soft tissue mass is visible within the external acusticus meatus, and the middle ear is only involved secondarily.     

Identification of lymphocytes in the epidermis of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson

Abstract The presence of lymphocytes in the epidermis of the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson, was confirmed by light and electron microscopical observation and by the use of an indirect immunocytochemical technique utilizing peroxidase-labelled antibody. These results are compared with those of other workers and the source and function of these cells in the epidermis of teleosts is discussed.     

Axial Pattern Flap Based on the Superficial Temporal Artery in Cats: An Experimental Study

Objective — The purpose of this study was to determine the surgical guidelines for and the survivability of an axial pattern flap based on the superficial temporal artery in cats.
Study Design — The mean survival length and mean percentage area of survival of flaps after 7 days in control and experimental groups, are assessed and compared.
Animals — Ten mature, domestic shorthair cats.
Methods — The superficial temporal artery and vein were incorporated in the flaps of the experimental group (n = 5) and were ligated in the control group (n = 5). Seven days postoperatively, the length of tissue that remained viable in each flap was determined by measurement of the length of the grossly devitalized tissue and subtracting this from total flap length. Results — Mean width and length of all flaps was 2.0 ± 7.0 cm, respectively. Mean survival length (±SD) of experimental and control flaps was 6.9 (0.2) cm and 4.4 (2.2) cm, respectively. Necrosis occurred in all control flaps, resulting in a mean percentage area of survival of 62.8 (11.7)%, compared with 98.6 (3.2)% for experimental flaps. Results were significantly different (P <.05) between the experimental and control groups.
Conclusions — A flap based on the superficial temporal artery may be a source of skin for reconstructive procedures of the maxillofacial region in cats.
Clinical Relevance — Knowledge of the anatomic landmarks and survivability of an axial pattern flap are essential considerations when planning a reconstructive technique.